7 Ways to Maximize the Power of Breast Milk

Breast milk is the best thing you can feed your baby, but what can moms do to make it even better? Proper nutrition and storing breast milk correctly can make a difference. Plus, there’s Evivo, the first and only baby probiotic that fully uses breast milk to protect baby’s gut and supports a healthy immune system.

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Unlock All Its Essential NutrientsScientists at the University of California discovered that the third most abundant nutrient in breast milk is indigestible by baby, but is food for baby’s gut, which is ground zero for her immune system. These nutrients in breast milk feed the good bacteria B. infantis, reducing the amount of potentially harmful bacteria which are linked to a higher risk of colic, asthma, allergies, obesity, and diabetes.

Unfortunately, up to 97 percent of babies born today are lacking B. infantis, a result of the unintended consequences of necessary modern medical practices like antibiotics and C-sections. Evivo™ is a probiotic powder with activated B. infantis and restores your baby’s gut to the natural state. Once a day, you just mix the powder with a few milliliters of breast milk, and feed it to your baby with a dropper.

Nourish Yourself, TooGreat news—most of the foods you had to avoid during pregnancy are just fine to eat while breastfeeding. You can even have a moderate amount of caffeine, a glass of wine, even the shellfish and soft cheeses you abstained from for nine months. The most important thing is to eat healthy food and drink plenty of fluids, but exactly what you eat is up to you.

Be sure to keep in mind, though, that babies get not only their nutrition from breast milk, but also their hydration. In fact, during hot weather, breast milk becomes more watery, which encourages babies to drink more to get a little extra hydration. Keep drinking plenty of water yourself and you’ll both benefit.

Practice Proper StorageIf you’re pumping milk to feed your baby or send to daycare, be careful how you collect and store the milk. Here are some tips to keep its nutrition intact.

Keep everything clean. Wash and sterilize your pump parts between uses, wash your hands before pumping, and store milk in new storage bags, or in clean and sterilized glass or BPA-free bottles.

Freeze breast milk carefully.Keep frozen breast milk from thawing until you're ready to use it. Store it in the back of the freezer, not in or near the door where the temperature drops every time the freezer is open. And if you're adding freshly pumped breast milk to a container of already-frozen breast milk, make sure the new milk is thoroughly cooled first. Adding warm milk to frozen milk could cause the top layer of frozen milk to thaw.

Make sure it’s fresh. Keep track of the dates of when breast milk was pumped and stored. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, fresh milk can sit for 4 hours at room temperature, although it's best to refrigerate it right away. Milk lasts up to 8 days in the fridge, but it's better to use it within 4 days. Milk will keep in a regular freezer for up to 9 months, and in a deep freezer for up to 12 months.

Thaw breast milk slowly. Microwave thawing isn't recommended, because it can break down the antibodies that prevent illness. Thaw breastmilk in the fridge, and heat the bottles by holding them in warm running water or in a pan of warm water (removed from the stove).

Swirl, don’t shake. Don't shake a bottle of breastmilk to mix it. Excessive shaking could break down some of the proteins and amino acids that make breastmilk so beneficial. Swirl the milk in the bottles instead.

You love your baby with all your heart, and you want to give her everything. Evivo helps your baby develop a healthy immune system and metabolism, which can set the foundation for good health her entire life.